Answer:
(a) In the article, the author describes how the meaning of the atom symbol has changed over time, from a symbol of progress and scientific achievement to a symbol of danger and destruction.
(b) The author provides several reasons for this change in meaning, including the use of atomic weapons in World War II, the Cold War and the arms race between the US and Soviet Union, and the environmental disasters and accidents that have occurred at nuclear power plants. The author cites specific details, such as the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, to show how these events contributed to the shift in public perception of the atom symbol.
(c) The events at Chernobyl reinforced this change in attitude by demonstrating the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear disaster. The author notes that the Chernobyl disaster "shocked the world" and led to a reevaluation of nuclear power and its potential risks. The author cites the increased regulation and safety measures that followed the Chernobyl disaster as evidence of the impact it had on public opinion and policy regarding nuclear energy. The author also notes that the Chernobyl disaster contributed to the decline of the Soviet Union, highlighting the political and economic consequences of nuclear power and its potential dangers.
Step-by-step explanation:
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